LUKE THOMPSON

The woman who was assaulted by the double rapist has expressed that she did not experience immediate relief upon her attacker receiving a 16-year prison sentence, stating that the process was deeply retraumatizing.

The unidentified victim described her experience with the trial involving Luke Thompson as emotionally taxing.

Thompson, aged 32 from Ashley Road in St Pauls, Bristol, was convicted of attacking two women—one in his vehicle in the city and another at a residence in Swindon.

Bristol Crown Court sentenced him to 16 years in prison, allocating eight years for each offense, plus an additional three years on licence after release.

The court documented that on the early hours of September 1, 2019, one victim was out with friends in Bristol when Thompson approached her.

After initially chatting, he took her to his car where he assaulted and raped her.

She reported this incident in May 2021.

Despite the conviction, the woman said the trial process caused further trauma and she found it difficult to feel relief.

She added, "I have been feeling very emotional since the trial.

The first week after was spent processing everything.

It didn’t feel like relief, rather retraumatization that brought my feelings to the surface again.

I am disappointed with these feelings, but I want to move forward.

I have to carry the weight of what happened, and I believe it will take time to fully process it." In May 2021, Thompson committed another assault in Swindon, which led to a joint investigation by local police forces.

His arrest was swift after they linked the cases, culminating in his trial in May, during which he denied all five charges.

Following his conviction, he was added to the sex offenders register and court orders were put in place to prevent contact with his victims.

Police officials highlighted the importance of victims' bravery in coming forward and cooperating with law enforcement efforts.